Postdoctoral Junior Leader fellowships
The la Caixa Foundation’s Postdoctoral Junior Leader fellowships fund top STEM researchers to conduct independent research and receive career development at leading institutions in Spain or Portugal.
Funder: la Caixa Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2026 (Incoming call) | September 2026 (Retaining call)
Funding Amounts: Up to €320,100 per fellowship over 3 years; includes salary, research, family, and mobility allowances; 40 fellowships awarded annually.
Summary: Supports outstanding postdoctoral researchers in STEM to pursue research careers at top institutions in Spain or Portugal.
Key Information: Two tracks: Incoming (for researchers new to Spain/Portugal) and Retaining (for those already based there).
Description
The Postdoctoral Junior Leader fellowships, funded by the la Caixa Foundation, are designed to attract and retain exceptional postdoctoral researchers in STEM fields (health and life sciences, technology, physics, chemistry, engineering, and mathematics) who wish to conduct research at leading universities or research centers in Spain or Portugal. The program offers 40 fellowships annually, split between two modalities:
- Incoming call: For researchers of any nationality who have spent less than 12 months in Spain or Portugal in the past 3 years.
- Retaining call: For researchers who have spent more than 12 months in Spain or Portugal in the past 3 years.
Fellows receive not only generous funding for salary and research costs, but also access to career development, international mobility, mentoring, and networking opportunities.
